Director of The Matrix comes out as transgender

The 'Matrix' director - who was previously known as Andy - has confirmed she has followed in the footsteps of her sibling and movie-making partner, Lana Wachowski, who was formerly known as Larry, and has undergone gender reassignment surgery.

She said in a statement to Windy City Times: "I'm transgender. And yeah, I've transitioned.

"I'm out to my friends and family. Most people at work know too. Everyone is cool with it. Yes, thanks to my fabulous sister they've done it before, but also because they're fantastic people. Without the love and support of my wife and friends and family I would not be where I am today."

Lilly, 48, revealed she had made the decision to come out after a reporter threatened to out her, but she admitted she had received a number of "ominous" emails over the past 12 months which threatened to disclose her gender status.

There's the headline I've been waiting for this past year. Up until now with dread and/or eye rolling exasperation. The 'news' has almost come out a couple of times. Each was preceded by an ominous email from my agent--reporters have been asking for statements regarding the 'Andy Wachowski gender transition' story they were about to publish.

"In response to this threatened public outing against my will, I had a prepared a statement that was one part p**s, one part vinegar and 12 parts gasoline.

"It had a lot of politically relevant insights regarding the dangers of outing trans people, and the statistical horrors of transgender suicide and murder rates. Not to mention a slightly sarcastic wrap-up that 'revealed' my father had injected praying mantis blood into his paternal ball-sac before conceiving each of his children to produce a brood of super women, hellbent on female domination. Okay, mega sarcastic.

"But it didn't happen. The editors of these publications didn't print a story that was only salacious in substance and could possibly have a potentially fatal effect. And being the optimist that I am, I was happy to chalk it up to progress."

The 'Jupiter Ascending' filmmaker hates speaking publicly but knew she'd have to address her transition at some point but wanted to feel "comfortable" with the situation first.

She said: "My sister Lana and I have largely avoided the press. I find talking about my art frustratingly tedious and talking about myself a wholly mortifying experience. I knew at some point I would have to come out publicly. You know, when you're living as an out transgender person it's ... kind of difficult to hide. I just wanted -- needed some time to get my head right, to feel comfortable."